Katherine Paterson

The characters in author Katherine Patersons books for children are not awash in sunshine and lollipops. They are picked on, abandoned, orphaned and bullied - and young readers love them for it.

Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia (the story of two children who find a wonderland that was recently made into a movie), has been churning out popular novels and stories for children for three decades now, picking up numerous awards along the way. Marilyn Jones, associate director for Inprint, which is sponsoring the reading, says, Shes won two Newbery Medals and two National Book Awards. Its hard to get a more stellar record than that. Shes just one of the most beloved childrens book writers, and shes written for such a wide range of ages. Children love her.

Paterson is expected to read from several works, including her newest release, Life of Jesus for Children: The Light of the World, along with old favorites Flip-Flop Girl, Bread and Roses, Too and, of course, the über-popular Bridge to Terabithia. 4 p.m. Wortham Center, 501 Texas. For information, call 713-521-2026 or visit www.inprinthouston.org. Free.
Sun., Feb. 24, 3 p.m., 2008